Max pedaled furiously, his heart pounding as he arrived at the pool party fifteen minutes later.
The sound of loud music and laughter filled the air, but he had no time to focus on that. His only mission was to find Amanda.
Pushing through the crowd, he tried to keep calm, but a group of familiar faces spotted him.
"Hey, look! It's the campus charity case," one of the guys sneered, pointing at Max like he was a circus act.
"What's up, Rags-to-No-Riches?" asked someone else with a mean grin. Are you here to bring us food or take away our trash?"
Everyone in the group started laughing. A third person spoke up and said, "Nah, man. I think he's just here to look through the trash himself." "You need to get dressed, right?"
He clenched his hands and ground his teeth, but Max didn't stop. He had to find Amanda. Even though the words hurt, he wouldn't back down.
At that very moment, Johnson's words boomed over the loudspeaker, making everyone pay attention. "You look more beautiful than any other girl on campus, Amanda." May I ask you to date me?"
There was a wave of cheers all around him. "Say yes! Say yes!" the crowd chanted in unison, adding fuel to Max's growing anxiety. He pushed harder, his body weaving through the sea of students.
Then her voice came through loud and clear. "Yes, Mr. Johnston! Yes, I will!"
Max was hit hard in the gut by what Amanda said.
His steps faltered, and for a moment, the world blurred around him. Johnson's loud, triumphant voice sliced through his shock. "Baby, I’ve got something special for you."
Johnson pulled back a cloth, dramatically revealing a shiny new sports car. Gasps of admiration rippled through the crowd.
"Johnson's the man!" someone cheered.
"Amanda’s so lucky!" a girl squealed in envy.
Max froze in place, watching in disbelief as Amanda smiled and threw her arms around Johnson, kissing him deeply. Everything he thought he knew about Amanda—about their relationship—seemed to shatter right in front of him.
Unable to control his emotions any longer, Max stormed through the last cluster of students, eyes blazing. "Amanda!" he shouted, voice raw with pain and disbelief.
The music screeched to a halt. All eyes turned to Max, standing there in his worn clothes, looking like an outsider in a world that was never his. Amanda's expression changed from one of surprise to discomfort.
"Max?" she asked, stepping back. "What are you doing here?"
Johnson stepped forward, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Who let this sewer rat in? Someone call security!"
Max ignored him, his focus solely on Amanda. "Tell them, Amanda. Tell them about us. Tell them the truth."
Amanda's face hardened, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said coldly. "We’ve never been together."
Laughter erupted from the crowd. "Looks like Poverty Boy’s lost his mind!" someone shouted, fueling the mockery.
"Maybe he's been living off dumpster scraps for too long!" another yelled, the crowd roaring with laughter.
Johnson, feeding off the crowd's energy, slung his arm around Amanda possessively. "Listen, Pizza Boy, you’ve probably fried your last brain cell working all those bottom-tier jobs, so let me break it down for you: Amanda. Doesn’t. Know. You."
Max’s breath hitched, the pain in his chest unbearable.
Johnson smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "But hey, I’m in a good mood tonight. How about I offer you a job? Maybe as my personal janitor. You can start by licking my shoes clean, you mangy mutt."
The crowd burst into wild laughter.
"Yeah, get on your knees, Trash Boy!" another taunted.
"That’s all you're good for, you broke joke!" the insults continued to rain down.
Johnson, growing more emboldened by the minute, reached down and squeezed Amanda’s butt in front of everyone.
"This, right here, is what a real man looks like," he gloated.
"You pathetic little worm. Why don’t you scurry off before I call animal control to deal with your flea-bitten hide?"
Max boiled with anger, couldn't control himself anymore, and punched and landed on Johnson’s face.
“How dare you hit me!” Johnson roared; his face twisted with fury.“You filthy rat! You dare challenge me?” His voice boomed across the poolside, dripping with disdain.The crowd, previously in shock, quickly rallied behind him, their support adding to Johnson's inflated ego.“Look at this cockroach!” Johnson sneered, pacing around Max like a predator sizing up his prey.“You think you can fight me? You’ve been scurrying in the dirt your whole life!”Laughter erupted from the crowd. “He’s about to get squashed!” someone shouted.“Yeah, show him who’s boss, Johnson!” another chimed in.Johnson flexed his arms dramatically, turning to the crowd.“This rat thinks he’s a lion now, huh?” he spat, pointing at Max. “But all I see is a mangy stray dog, begging for scraps!”The crowd whooped and hollered, eagerly anticipating the fight.“You’re nothing but a street mutt,” Johnson continued, his voice brimming with arrogance.“I’ve trained with the best, and you? You’ve been running from garbag
Max managed to duck, but he was too hurt tokeep his balance."Hey! Leave him alone!" Peteryelled.The party was chaos now. People wereshouting and pushing to see the fight. In the corner, Max's friend Peter was onhis phone."Police? Yes, there's a fight..."Peter said quickly.Just when things looked bad for Max, policesirens wailed outside. Blue lights flashed through the windows."Everyone freezes!" Policeofficers rushed in.Later at the police station, Max sat in acold chair. His head was clearing up, but he was worried. The police took hisname and fingerprints, then left him waiting.The police stared at him with wide eyes andran off like he saw a ghost.Max looked around, expecting someone tocome question him soon.” How long we need to wait here?”But after the officers took hisfingerprints and noted down his name, no one came back.Suddenly, a new man walked in. He wore aplain black suit that probably cost more than Max's car.Everyone in the room seemed to back away
The black sedan rolled to a halt before a gilded gate, its towering iron bars adorned with the elegant "Montgomery" crest.Max leaned against the window, his breath fogging the glass as he took in the grandeur.“Is this it?” he asked, his voice low, almost reverent.Harrison, the ever-composed butler, nodded.“Indeed, sir. This is Montgomery Estate.”A security guard approached.Harrison handed over a thick envelope without hesitation.Max fidgeted as the guard scanned the documents.After a tense moment, the gates opened with a groan, revealing a sprawling estate bathed in sunlight.As the car eased forward, Max’s jaw dropped.A central fountain sparkled like diamonds, surrounded by gardens so manicured they seemed unreal.Marble statues peeked out from hedgerows, their lifelike gazes following the car.“It looked like a giant museum.” Max muttered.“You haven’t seen the inside yet.”Harrison said with a small smile as the car stopped at the mansion’s grand steps.Max hesitated befor
Max sat across from Richard in the grand study, trying to process the magnitude of what he’d just learned.“So... I’m really a Montgomery?” he asked, his voice tinged with awe.Richard smiled, rising from his chair.“There’s no doubt about it.”He walked to a shelf, pressed a hidden latch, and revealed a secret room.Max followed him inside, his breath catching as he took in the sight: walls lined with ledgers, monitors displaying company logos, and a central table stacked with documents.“These are our holdings,” Richard explained, gesturing to the displays.“GlobalTech Industries, Royal Crown Hotels, StreamLife, and many more.”Max’s eyes widened as recognition dawned.“Wait—these are some of the biggest names in the world. We own them?”“Correct,” Richard said with a hint of pride.“Our wealth spans continents. The Montgomery family controls assets worth trillions. And now, so will you.”Max’s head spun.Just that morning, he’d been worried about rent.Now he was being handed contr
As Max woke up, he stretched with a grin, feeling lighter than he had in years. “No budgeting, no calculating shifts…” he murmured, staring at the ceiling. “So this is what freedom feels like.”He sat up, glancing at his worn-out sneakers by the door and laughing. “Well, guess it’s time to treat myself. No cafeteria lines today—let’s go somewhere extravagant. Somewhere… off-limits,” he whispered with a smirk.As he dressed, a thought crept in. “Any restaurant, any meal, no more checking prices.” He shook his head, still marveling. He decided against the cafeteria and dressed up, calling for a taxi to take him somewhere he’d always dreamed of going. “Brightwood shopping center, please,” he told the driver, a hint of excitement in his voice.The driver glanced at him through the mirror. “Big place. Got some fancy plans for the day?”“You could say that,” Max replied, smirking to himself. “I’m thinking of treating myself to the best lunch they’ve got.”The cab pulled up to the towe
As the guard continued berating Max at the entrance, Emily Rose stepped forward, her voice calm but commanding. “Is there some reason for this commotion?”The guard immediately straightened, recognition dawning on his face. “Ms. Rose! Oh, my apologies! I… I didn’t know you were here,” he stammered, trying to regain composure and plastering a fake smile on his face. “It’s an honor to see you.”Emily looked past him, her gaze focused on Max. “And why, exactly, are you stopping this gentleman from entering?”The guard hesitated, the confident sneer fading from his face. “Uh, well… you see, Ms. Rose… this guy here, he looks like some… well, he looks like he doesn’t belong here. I thought he was, you know, just some beggar trying to cause trouble.”Max clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his frustration, but Emily’s sharp glare at the guard silenced him.“Some beggar?” she repeated coldly, raising an eyebrow. “Did you even ask who he was before jumping to conclusions?”The gu
Amanda held up the luxury handbag, twirling it with a radiant smile.“Johnson, isn’t it stunning? This bag would be perfect for me! You wouldn’t want me to leave without it, would you?”Johnson laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.“Amanda, didn’t I… just get you that luxury car last week? Maybe we could take it easy for a bit?”She pouted, her eyes widening in exaggerated disappointment.“Oh, Johnson, it’s just one little handbag. Imagine how perfect it would look with my wardrobe. Plus, everyone would know I’m spoiled by you. Don’t you want that?”Johnson hesitated, glancing at the price tag.This would go over my budget, he thought. If he gave in, he’d risk his dad’s wrath for overspending again.“Well…” He stalled, trying to think of a way out.“I mean, it’s… beautiful, but maybe we could find something similar, but, you know… less?”Amanda’s eyes narrowed slightly.“Less? Johnson, it’s not about the price; it’s about showing that you care. Are you telling me you can’t
Amanda joined in, rolling her eyes. “It’s probably a piece of plastic from a toy store. Come on, Max. You’re really out here trying to fool people?”The other shoppers had started to take notice, their whispers creating a soft buzz of judgment in the air. Max stood quietly, the black card held loosely between his fingers."Max," Emily whispered urgently beside him, "you don't have to do this. Let me—"Johnson cut her off with an exaggerated gasp. "Emily, dear, don't tell me you actually believe this circus act? Look at him! He probably colored a regular card with a Sharpie!""The craftsmanship is quite poor, if you ask me," Amanda chimed in, examining her reflection in a nearby mirror. "You can practically see the marker strokes."Emily's face flushed as she reached for her purse. "I can handle this," she said quietly to Max. "There's no need to—""To embarrass himself further?" Johnson interjected, slapping his knee. "Oh no, please let him continue! This is better than dinner theater